Handmaid of the Lord is a Christmas concert/show like no other. It weaves current musical sounds together with the two-thousand-year-old story of the birth of Christ. The work consists of 20 songs, interspersed with short narratives that carry the story forward.

The story is told from the perspective of Mary, the young Jewish girl chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. Some songs directly quote Scripture, while others give voice to Mary’s thoughts and reflections. She grapples with questions such as how to tell Joseph she is pregnant, where she will find a place to give birth, and what the bright star over Bethlehem might mean. In every concern, she turns again and again to the God who has called her to be the mother of the Savior of the world.

The music of Handmaid of the Lord draws from a rich blend of styles including swing, Latin rhythms, contemporary Christian music, classical influences, and even musical theatre. The sounds are familiar, yet often unexpected in worship music. This fresh musical context draws the listener more deeply into the words, allowing familiar Scripture to be heard anew, often leading to fresh insights and “aha” moments.

My vision for this work is to share the beautiful story of hope with listeners of all ages—to help people delight in God’s plan and recognize that it is not distant, but present and active in their lives today.